St. Paul, MN - In honor and remembrance of Navy SEAL Special Operator Second Class Nicholas Patrick Spehar, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Friday, August 19, 2011.

Special Operator Second Class Spehar, of Chisago City, was twenty-four years old, and a 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in March, 2007, earning a spot in the Navy SEALS.

Special Operator Second Class Spehar's first deployment took him to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he earned the prestigious position of Honor Man in both Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher and Naval Special Warfare Sniper School. After a second deployment to Yemen, Special Operator Second Class Spehar volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan and died a hero on Saturday, August 6, 2011, in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan, while serving in combat.

At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies it's flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota military personnel killed in the line of duty, on the day of interment.

/governor/assets/Nicholas-Patrick-Spehar.pdf_tcm1055-92606.pdfA copy of the proclamation is attached.